Venkaiah warns Centre against withdrawal of land to SASB

Bangalore, Jun 27 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party today warned the Centre of a nationwide 'backlash' if it succumbs to pressure and withdraws the land handed over to Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) for providing additional facilities to the pilgrims.

Addressing a press conference here, Party senior leader Venkaiah Naidu, came down heavily on certain sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir, which was opposing the transfer of land to SASB.

''It will have nationwide repercussions and the Centre should not yield to such pressure tactics,'' he said.

Stating that the land, which was transferred to SASB did not belong to any organisation, including Wakf Board, he said it was intended to provide more facilities to the Hindu pilgrims coming from various parts of the country.

Alleging that certain 'narrow thinking' elements in the society were behind the agitation in Jammu and Kashmir over the land transfer issue, Mr Naidu said while nobody was bothered when crores of rupees of tax payers money was being spent for sending pilgrims to Mecca, a hue and cry was being raised over the transfer of land to Amarnath Temple Trust.

Urging the Union Government not to backtrack on land transfer, he warned of 'backlash' in the country if the governments concerned succumbed to pressures.

UNI MV RS LPB DS1450